NEW YORK (PIX11) – While they may be uncommon, unusual animal sightings are not completely out of the norm for New Yorkers.
In recent years, there have been many animal storylines, from an alligator in Prospect Park Lake to an 11-month cougar in a Manhattan apartment.
The backstory of each animal varies case by case as some used to be kept as exotic pets, while others mysteriously appear out of nowhere.
While there could be more strange encounters before 2024 ends, here's a look back at recent sightings and reporting.
A red-colored snake with stripes was left in a bag in a shopping cart in the Bronx on Sept. 28. Police removed the snake, later identified as a Honduran Milk Snake. The snake was taken to the Department of Conservation. How it came to be in a shopping cart remains a mystery.
Coyotes made headlines in August after locals reported multiple sightings and encounters with the four-legged creatures in Claremont Park. While there have been no attacks reported, some people who visited the park claimed that a couple of coyotes threatened them.
Imagine taking a stroll and stumbling upon a five-foot-long boa constrictor. Dubbed "Severus", the snake was reported on June 5 on West 87th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenue. It was then located in the backyard of a brownstone, safely removed, and handed off to a foster guardian outside of New York City.
10 days after the boa constrictor was reported, an 18-inch corn snake was reportedly found inside a bathtub in Midwood. Half-asleep, the person who found the snake tried to grab it with nearby scissors and flush it down the toilet when it lightly bit his hand. Thankfully, it ended up in a nicer facility at the Animal Care Centers of NYC in Queens.
While not atypical, one turkey caught the attention of many New Yorkers in May, after it was spotted venturing across New York City. Nicknamed Astoria, the bird was seen walking among the cars and flying between the medians in Queens.
Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.
